ethics
[ eth-iks ]
/ ˈɛθ ɪks /
noun
(used with a singular or plural verb) a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.
(used with a plural verb) the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: medical ethics; Christian ethics.
(used with a plural verb) moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.
(used with a singular verb) that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.Compare axiological ethics, deontological ethics.
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Nearby words
ethical investment, ethical relativism, ethical will, ethicist, ethicize, ethics, ethinamate, ethine, ethion, ethionamide, ethiop
Definition for ethics (2 of 2)
ethic
[ eth-ik ]
/ ˈɛθ ɪk /
noun
the body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group: the Christian ethic; the tribal ethic of the Zuni.
a complex of moral precepts held or rules of conduct followed by an individual: a personal ethic.
Origin of ethic
Related forms
non·eth·ic, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for ethics
British Dictionary definitions for ethics (1 of 2)
ethics
/ (ˈɛθɪks) /
noun
(functioning as singular) the philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct and of the rules and principles that ought to govern it; moral philosophySee also meta-ethics
(functioning as plural) a social, religious, or civil code of behaviour considered correct, esp that of a particular group, profession, or individual
(functioning as plural) the moral fitness of a decision, course of action, etche doubted the ethics of their verdict
Derived Forms
ethicist, nounBritish Dictionary definitions for ethics (2 of 2)
ethic
/ (ˈɛθɪk) /
noun
a moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or groupthe Puritan ethic
adjective
another word for ethical
See also ethics
Word Origin for ethic
C15: from Latin ēthicus, from Greek éthikos, from ēthos custom; see ethos
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medicine definitions for ethics
ethics
[ ĕth′ĭks ]
n.
The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the conduct of the members of a profession.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Culture definitions for ethics
ethics
The branch of philosophy that deals with morality. Ethics is concerned with distinguishing between good and evil in the world, between right and wrong human actions, and between virtuous and nonvirtuous characteristics of people.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.